2.15.2008

I've enjoyed Tyler Perry's previous works, and on face value, they are fine. However, there always seemed to be an element of the more serious missing from his films, and we thought that Perry could deal with a more serious subject. Well, this time out, he takes up the issue of infidelity and midlife crisis among a set of African American couples, and almost makes it through the movie without anyone donning a fat suit in Why Did I Get Married?

These four couples have an annual retreat, and it is a time to do some exercises, and meet up with friends. They have been doing this since they all graduated college together. One of them is a psychology professor, and writes books about their experience. This time, when they meet up in snowy Colorado, one of the husbands decides to bring his mistress along, as well as his wife! While at first the rest are condemning of this obvious and blatant infidelity, as Why Did I Get Married? progresses, we realize that each of the couples is dealing with its own set of challenges.

When I first read the back of the box, I was wondering if this was going to be one of these films where everyone is just sitting around "chewing the cud" for 120 minutes, and no conclusion is ever reached. Thankfully, this is not the case. Perry takes on the emotionally charged subject of marriages at the decade mark, as the characters approach the age for a case of midlife crisis. Thankfully, while the serious is there, there is enough comedy thrown in to keep the experience enjoyable as we work towards a conclusion for each of the characters.

Overall, this film is considerably more serious than his other works. There's no fried chicken jokes, and we don't end up in the more stereotypical Atlanta ghetto that his last movie showed. Perry is quite talented as he wrote the screenplay, directed the film, and acted in it as well, so this film makes it on his talent above anyone elses. Finally, Perry lets someone else wear the fat suit this time out. I recommend it to Perry fans, and those looking at a new view into this complicated subject matter.